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Antenna Testing Data
Testing Date: 12/08/01
Results
Definition:
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XX-XX =
Measured signal strength level
-
0-XX-XX =
Signal locks on briefly but keeps dropping out
-
0-50 = Signal
was detected but not able to lock
-
0 = No signal
detected
Note:
Signal level refers to the Dish 6000 indicator which measures the signal
quality based on percentage of errors. As long as the indicator stays above
48-50%, the signal will lock. I assume that if you have over 50% errors, the
Dish 6000 does not have enough good signal to decode properly. A reading of
100% would indicate no errors in signal. I have found that at 47% I will see
pixelation in the picture and below 46% the picture will drop out completely.
Test #1
Test #2
Test #3
Conclusion:
During this test, the long distance channels from San Diego (130 miles) were
difficult to pick up due to poor weather conditions. It does show what each
antenna can do in these conditions. I cannot conclude the inability for any
antenna to pick up certain stations. I will be conducting more tests soon when weather conditions improve.
JBX21WB
-
Maintains a very steady signal on
the local Mt. Wilson stations, a good indication of the ability to block out multi-path
interference
-
Long distance channel performance
about average, possibly due to the antenna being a WB (wideband channels
14-69) version bringing the peak gain down a little
-
Solid
construction, but slightly
heavy from the solid rod director elements
DY28A
-
Narrow band group "A" antenna tuned to the
lower channel range (channels 14-35), channels above ~30 did not tune in at all
-
Strong signals in the lower
channel range, but the signal strength levels seemed to
fluctuate a little more than other antennas tested
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Antenna is very large (about 14'
long and 3' wide) and fairly heavy
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Channel Master 9251 rotator not strong
enough to stay in synchronization after several back and forth tuning adjustments.
I recommend a professional type rotator for everyday use with this antenna
Televes Pro-Range 1046 (Dat75)
-
Multi-path rejection average, could not pick up the
most difficult local channels
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Long distance performance was average, on the stations it did pick up, the signal levels were lower
than the others tested
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Antenna is one of smallest and
lightest of those tested, great for attic installs
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Very light weight and sturdy
construction
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The clear anodize finish is very
nice
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The very large, mustard yellow
colored, plastic
bulkheads were kind of ugly and unnecessary. A narrow streamline version of
the bulkheads would be cleaner looking and have less wind load, however the
thin-wall injection
molding work was very precise
CM-4248
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Simple Yagi design using unique formed sheet metal
directors
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Good, inexpensive antenna for locations with a
decent line of sight and less than about 65 miles from transmitter
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Multipath rejection below average
based on the local channel performance tests
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Long distance performance is
below average compared to the others tested
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Low cost, readily available, and light
weight makes this a popular antenna
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Definitely worth a try in nearby locations with a
decent line of site
ATF-X100
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This is a precision custom built antenna not available to the public
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Long distance performance is
good. Signal strength levels were generally a little higher and more stable for
each station than the other antennas tested
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Unable to pick up some of the
difficult upper-band local channels (59, 65, 66) probably due to multi-path interference
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All elements are adjustable,
allowing the antenna to be very fine tuned, however this feature is for
development work only
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Antenna is not in production, it
is just a prototype.
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